Chapter Text
Wriothesley never agreed to such an arrangement and his blood boiled in fury whenever he thought of the matter. However, as a son of a duke, an heir even, he would never get to say anything when it concerned his engagement or even his own marriage.
Already past the marriageable age but still unwed. Not that he cared about it, to be honest. Many had questioned his single status, even reiterated the benefits of having a partner. A lot of them proposed and recommended noble daughters which he really never took second glances at. However, his father was adamant on pairing him up with the daughter of the marquis. Again, he didn’t have anything to say about that but he tried to decline anyways, and well, miserably failed.
Now, he ran like a cornered animal.
Literally.
Wriothesley ran as fast as he could, even managed to escape the guards his father had assigned him. Up ahead, he saw his favorite café but he only frowned as he turned away from that direction. Because, archons forbid, that goddamned woman knew where to find him.
His fiancée was gorgeous and not ill-mannered. She’s the ideal lady, a prospective partner anyone could really ask for. But for Wriothesley? It’s another thing entirely. They were amicable at first until it devolved into something even he wasn’t prepared for.
No, he never hated her despite what happened thereafter but to be pushed into a situation where he had no control over, violating his privacy even, that’s something he really couldn’t tolerate.
He was taught to respect women by his late mother and he took that seriously. He’d always been a gentleman, chivalric and respectful. At this point, however, abhorrence just simmered beneath his skin at the mere thought of a woman touching him. That woman had ruined him to an extent. And to think his father consented on his behalf like he’s not an adult able to distinguish what’s right from wrong had him furious.
And he was never furious, never lost his temper even despite what life had thrown. Not until today.
He sped up his steps again, trying not to alarm the bystanders around.
At the far end of the street, the last turn before exiting the block, he saw the other café frequented by most people having a sweet tooth. If he remembered correctly, it’s owned by Her Majesty’s younger twin sister Furina and during the said royal’s idle times, she often served her own pastries to the customers.
The chimes rang as he entered and looked around frantically. Really, his luck ran out today. There’s not even a vacant table. Should he opt for a seat instead? Share a table? But that would definitely cause another issue. After all, his fiancée was currently hot on his heels.
Icy blue eyes roamed around the space again. Wriothesley found himself in a dilemma. Again, this impromptu date was scheduled by his fiancée without his knowledge, his anger fueled more by his father’s insistence on doing so, and now—he cursed to himself.
It’s really now or never.
Fuck his goddamned luck.
He uttered his prayers to whomever higher being out there to let him at least have this day to himself. He also hoped the princess would be here today to use her as a shield and if that’s the case, he reminded himself to thank her in the future.
Just in case, he reassured himself.
Wriothesley walked further inside and turned to the corner, a little bit obscured from the main hall of the cafe sat a woman wearing a big hat covering most of the upper half of her face. Taking a deep breath, he walked over in large strides and stood before the said table.
The woman looked up to him but Wriothesley sat faster and began, “Look, I know this is rude but please help me out here a little and I’ll compensate you at a later time. Please. ”
“It depends on your request, young man,” said the calm voice.
A reasonable person at last!
He whispered, only for them to hear, “I’m in dire need of help. Please ward off my fiancée. It’s really been terrible lately and she’s hot on my heels today and I—”
“And here you are, little duke!”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” he muttered under his breath, exasperated.
The mademoiselle’s face darkened, seeing the woman before Wriothesley. “And this woman is?”
Wriothesley schooled his expression before turning to his fiancée. “I’m her client about—”
“I see,” and that imposing voice made him swallow, like he’s being a petulant child and the woman was scolding her. “The little duke is my client, mademoiselle. He’s agreed to meet up with me today to talk about the painting he had commissioned me.”
“A painting?”
“I believe he said that it’s for someone important to him.” She leaned her chin on her knuckle, leaning forward to gauge the mademoiselle currently holding back her rage.
The daughter of the marquis tilted his chin up. “Someone important? Of course, who else but me?”
The others snickered because they knew this noblewoman’s attitude—entitled and rude.
“But, don’t you think you’re ruining the surprise? The little duke made efforts painstakingly only to be ruined by you.” She turned to Wriothesley. “If this is the sort of partner you have, you better yet reconsider.” She turned back to the lady. “As a nobility, you have an etiquette to follow and barging in like this, even—”
“Who the hell are you? You’re just a lowly painter! ”
And the crew standing there, attempting to smooth things over, gasped. Even the regular customers hearing what the mademoiselle said choked. Some of them even knew the older woman’s identity and no one, literally no one, not even Princess Furina and owner of the cafe, dared disrespect her.
Calm like a lakewater, the voice still spoke, “Lowly painter as I might be, compared to you, I know how to act in public. Please have some respect for yourself, mademoiselle, and you’re making the little duke embarrassed here.”
Again, that control and authority. It sent a shudder down Wriothesley’s spine. He abhorred women, he said to himself again. But, Wriothesley reeled as he found himself mesmerized by the older lady.
“I won’t back down!” The mademoiselle stomped her heeled shoe onto the floor. “What if you’re secretly his lover. What then?”
“I pity you, little duke, to be paired with such a woman. It seems like she had no trust in you either.” She shook her head in disappointment. “Jealousy is truly a nasty thing.”
The mademoiselle snatched the glass of water from the table and only then Wriothesley reacted, gripping tightly onto his fiancée’s hand and snarled out, “Enough!”
“But, she—”
“I never wanted this engagement in the first place and you’ve been a nuisance since. If you’re so determined to become a duchess then why don’t you marry the duke himself?”
That earned even more horrified gasps from their audience.
“You know what,” another voice chimed in, “I don’t tolerate this kind of thing in my café no matter who you are, even if you’re Her Majesty herself! So, please take this matter outside!”
Murmurs arose but the mademoiselle didn’t move an inch.
“Wrio—”
“Leave me alone!” Wriothesley spat, snatching the glass and turned away from her.
Tomorrow, he’d really be the gossip of the social circles again just because of that woman. At this point, he’s utterly exhausted and just wanted a way out.
“Would you like me to escort you out myself, mademoiselle?” Princess Furina offered, anger dripping in her tone.
The mademoiselle backed down, clenched her fists in anger and retreated. “Thank you for the offer, Princess Furina, but I’ll just go.”
She threw Wriothesley another angry look before exiting with her maid and knight.
The tension inside the cafe gradually dissipated and Wriothesley leaned back on his chair. A hand ran through the raven locks and he sighed. He really could just run but never hide, didn’t he? At the thought, a defeated laugh bubbled in his throat. He must address this matter as soon as he could because just like his initial thoughts, marrying that woman would be the end of him.
“It’s an exhilarating experience to be faced with a person with obsessive tendencies. Are you alright, little duke?”
Oh, right. He nearly forgot about the woman in front of him. They only met for the first time today and she willingly offered her help.
He sat properly and faced her. “Thank you very much for your help.”
The woman smiled a little then removed the big hat obscuring most of her face. And Wriothesley swallowed seeing her features. He reveled seeing her face, an otherworldly beauty he had never seen his entire life. Those bright and clear lilac eyes pinned him on his seat as they mesmerized him to the point of stupor.
“Answer my question, please? Are you alright now?”
Wriothesley swallowed again, stammering, “Yes, I’m fine. Thank you. How can I repay you?”
“Don’t mind it.” She waved her hand in dismissal. “It’s but a small thing. However, I advise you to break up with that mademoiselle. It won’t do you any good.”
“I’ve already failed many times.”
An expression crossed the older woman’s face briefly before Wriothesley could even decipher what it was. She huffed softly then grabbed the other cup from the table. “Use this incident to push through it. This isn’t the first time it happened, I presume?”
And Wriothesley visibly grimaced.
“I’ll definitely do that. Thank you again, Lady…?” Wriothesley titled his head to the side.
“Oh.” She put down the cup on the table. “I forgot to introduce myself, didn’t I? I’m called Neuvillette but most of the people call me Madame. It’s nice to meet you, although it’s not the ideal circumstance.”
“I’m Wriothesley.” He coughed behind his fist. “I’m embarrassed that this is how our first meeting went. Can I take you to dine out one time, just a thank-you for what you did?”
“I have to decline, Sir Wriothesley. Also, please think of your reputation too.”
Wriothesley’s face flushed at the realization. “I apologize. I didn’t think of that.”
Neuvillette nodded. “Just relax for now. Leave this to me.”
“What do you—”
The older woman elegantly raised her hand, motioning a waitress over. “Can you please get us a slice of your best-selling cake and tea for this young man here. Calming tea, if you may.”
The crew bowed respectfully. “Yes, madame.”
“Thank you,” she replied before turning to him with a kind expression.
“You really don’t have to, madame. I—”
“You need it. I insist.”
And Wriothesley couldn’t help but think that despite the scandalous incident only a few moments ago, this unexpected meeting with this woman wasn’t a bad thing after all.